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Request for Proposals: Loudoun Economic Development – Small Business Event Management

The Project

Loudoun Economic Development is seeking a Marketing, Communications and Events contractor to help manage and promote the newly rebranded Morning Momentum program as part of the broader Launch Loudoun strategy. 

Twice a month, Morning Momentum invites small-business owners and entrepreneurs to talk honestly about business challenges, learn practical skills, exchange useful ideas, and build relationships with people who understand the entrepreneurial journey.

Each session includes two 6-minute presentations from entrepreneurs who tell the group what their company does and the challenge that the company is working through. The audience then provides suggestions, advice, and connections. This is NOT a sales pitch or a business development activity.

A PDF version of this RFP may be downloaded here: Small Business Event Management RFP

The Scope

A vendor will be chosen for a one-year contract (January 2027-December 2027).

The selected vendor will work with Launch Loudoun to:

  1. Solicit, vet, and schedule two entrepreneurs to speak at each Morning Momentum session.
  2. Ensure between 40-50 participants attend each Morning Momentum session. The participants should have experience owning and growing small businesses and/or serve as industry experts who can provide constructive feedback and strengthen the presenters’ networks.  
  3. Promote each event using existing Morning Momentum social media platforms. Strong graphic design and creative social media management is preferred.
  4. Capture photography in each one of the sessions and upload to asset management platform that the Department of Economic Development will provide.
  5. Compose monthly newsletter to be distributed to Morning Momentum contact list

If a second presenter cannot be secured for a session, the vendor will work with Launch Loudoun to schedule an educational resource partner who can speak to the group or provide some other type of skills-building activity.

The vendor will collect data regarding attendance, contact information and basic personal and business information as agreed upon with DED, as well as feedback from speakers and attendees.

Proposal can include additional services related to the event. No additional funding will be provided for the proposed additional services

The Budget

The total budget allocated for this project is $30,000 all-inclusive.

Loudoun County provides payment under approved Purchase Orders with net 30 terms. As such, all responses should include any additional payment terms including, but not limited to, a percentage required at signing necessary for fulfillment of the required components

The Proposal

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Please include a list of 3 (three) past clients or projects as referrals.

Responses should be limited to 5 pages total.

Please include the names and backgrounds of the person/people who will be assigned to this account if not the primary respondent, and any information deemed relevant entering into an agreement.

Timeline

  1. RFP Released: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
  2. Questions should be submitted to loudounbiz@loudoun.gov by October 22, 2026
  3. Responses are due no later than COB Thursday, October 29th and should be emailed to loudounbiz@loudoun.gov
  4. Interviews may be conducted virtually, or in person, the second week of November.
  5. Services will begin January 2027, based on the date of approved Purchase Order.

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